FE650e test ride---HOLY FREAKIN CRAP

Well, I test rode an FE650e today and whoa, this thing is nuts---totally nuts. I rode a 450 and had the throttle wide open and went through gears 1-2-3 and it didn't feel as fast as the 650 with just two BRAPPS. I didn't get a chance to ride a 550 cause it was getting dark out. But, I am going back tomorrow.

Wow, I was pretty set on the 650----however I am not so sure now. That thing is just nuts, maybe it is just too much? I felt I wanted a little more power than the 450, so maybe the 550 is the way to go.

In all actuallity, where I live the 450 would be the best bike for the tight woods.

I Need a 450

I want a 650

Maybe I should compromise with the 550?

Any advice?

Could the 650 work in the tight stuff with things like a slipper clutch and a slow pull throttle cam?

What can I expect of the 550?

Should I just settle for the 450?

I know I would like to buy a new Berg, just not sure which one.

you will get used to it...get the 650

Re: RE: FE650e test ride---HOLY FREAKIN CRAP

nsman said:

you will get used to it...get the 650

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Are you sure? I mean, gosh, all this 650 wants to do is look at the sky.

I am 188 lbs and the normal speed of the area I ride is like 15-40 mph.

I'll tall ya though, both the 450 and the 650 felt like a feather underneath me. I have never felt a bike so light.


If I could buy two bikes it would be the 650 and a 450. But, that wouldn't work at this point in time. I was thinking to buy the 650 now and then a new design '09 or '10 450.....if I am not mangled by the 650 before the new design bikes come out.

RE: Re: RE: FE650e test ride---HOLY FREAKIN CRAP

Get the 550. After two years I still look forward to riding it and it still hauls butt!!!

If your goal is maximizing your trail speed, get the 450. If your goal is grins and bragging rights on what's faster in a drag race,get the one of the big bores.

I love my 550, but my next 'Berg will be a 450. At the end of a long course enduro race, the 550 gets a bit hard to hold on to.

Last time I checked, I didn't see a lot of open deset on the East coast.

Johnf3 said:

If your goal is maximizing your trail speed, get the 450. If your goal is grins and bragging rights on what's faster in a drag race,get the one of the big bores.

I love my 550, but my next 'Berg will be a 450. At the end of a long course enduro race, the 550 gets a bit hard to hold on to.

Last time I checked, I didn't see a lot of open deset on the East coast.

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Well, there is plenty of desert here. However, it is full of boulders and trees with wet roots.

I do have a realistic side to me and that side is screaming 450--450--450. I know that the 450 would be the best for Enduro competition in these tight woods. But, I have a Berg 400 and 501. The 450 would just fall inbetween those and handle a bit better. My assumption is the 550 would be faster than the 400 and 501 and the Husq 430, yet still be managble enough to meander through the tight woods. But, the 650 would for sure whip them all yet seems to trade off managebility for shear power.

Is the 550 more like a 450, just with more power? Or, more like a 650 with better managebility?

I guess the senarios can be explained, re-explained and beaten to death. Knowing myself, no matter which one I get, there will be a small regret lingering. If I get the 450 I will sometimes wish I got the 650 when I am in need of the utmost power. If I get the 650 I know I will say damn, I should have gotten the 450 when I am weaving through tight single track. Does all this equate to 550? I don't know. Does the 550 combine the best of both? Or, does it lack the special ability of the end bikes---meaning it is unmanageble and not powerful enough?

All the responses seem to offer great first hand advice. Not that I am not listening, I am probably just overanalyzing all this info.

I had heard that the 650 is more prone to overheating than the 450. Which seems logical as the 650 cylinder is bigger and can eminate more heat to the same sized radiator. Another thought I had is if I am revving the 450 more over the same distance traveled as compared to a BRAPP then coasting with the 650, wouldn't the 450 produce as much or maybe more heat than the 650?

How long can the 450 sit and idle withouth over heating?
How about the 550 and 650?

It would seem obvious that the 450 could idle longer than the 550 or 650, but is it much longer?



Hmmmmmm, I am still thinking. I need to set aside a full day to ride all three bikes for a few hours each. But, I don't think that is going to happen.

I had a '98 FE600, granted the new bikes handle better, but that thing just beat me up after a day of riding the woods, I dropped down to a 470 and really missed the power. I bought a 550 and and very glad i did! I love riding my 550 in the woods, tight twisties, and over heating has not been an issue, But man when i hit that occasional fire road and let thing open up, DAMMMMNNN. the new 650's must be a blast to ride but I think you will not have any regrets if you get the 550.

the 450 is good , the 550 is great , the 650 is the greatest .

whosahberg said:

the 450 is good , the 550 is great , the 650 is the greatest .

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Man, I was just getting mentally prepared to settle for the 550. Now I am all screwed up again. Well, I will ride them all tomorrow. But, I have the feeling it isn't going to be the 650---I am not sure yet though.

650

Here is the story of my 07.
http://www.husaberg.org/index.php?name= ... 2007+fe650

In answer to the question 'Why a 650?', the quote below summarises nicely:

"When logic goes out the window and fun factor is a priority, the FE650e comes into it's own. A twist of the throttle is all it takes to engage warp speed and make your eyes water and mouth grin. This motorcycle is an addiction, once you ride one you won't want to stop."

I salivate at the thought of riding mine. Get the suspension and jetting sorted and it won't beat you up. I can ride mine all day, and I mean all day, and its not me but the bike that makes me look better than I am, and I'm a desk jockey with soft hands and yet no blisters on the hands at the end of the day with just normal gloves.

Go the 650, its the torque, fantastic, fantastic. If you want more speed, from any speed, its always easy, click up a gear and twist the throttle. the way it powers through 160km/h/100mph with me sitting up in the gale is amazing.

Steve

slow down, get your breath back. I ride enduros, woods and some desert. After owning a TE510, a FE450e and now a FE550e I may have soem insight.

I was fastest in the woods on the Fe450e, but the Fe550e is more fun and its still very nimble in the woods, more so then that Te510. (the husky 510 had great suspension and was a great open terrain bike- loved it, but the Bergs are mo better more like a swingset in the woods then the Husky 510 though the Husky 450 is very nice in the woods)

Displacement does not equal speed. I rode a KTM 400 exc once that was very quick. You only rode the 650 for a little while.

listening to you I say get the proven all rounder get the Fe550e. I loved my Fe450e, but If I can only have one Husaberg and if I ride woods I would have the bike I have now the Fe550e.

I agree with BigBob. Speed wise the 450 is the deal. The 650 is an easy ***** extention, but in the tight stuff ( and this term is so wide open, all relative ) it WILL beat you up and reduce your fun factor. I'm a 240 A rider, I own a 550, most fun you can have with your pants on. THe bike I like to race.....a 380. If I lived in Nevada, the 650 would have my vote, but not in a place that has grass, rocks AND roots the 550 is the supermodel who likes to be at home with her man.

Well, I rode the 650 again and rode the 550 today. Twice for both. I felt better on the 650 today then I did yesterday. However, I felt better and more confident on the 550. So, I now have a 2007 FE550e with my name on the title. I think if there is ever a time I regret not getting the 650 it will be somewhere out of my area that I am riding. I guessI can get a 650 later if I feel I ever need it.

Thanks for everyone's input on this choice-----it wasn't and easy choice to make. The sales guy, my girlfriend and another friend were all standing outside in the 35 degree weather while I was looking at both bikes trying to decide for about an hour. They couldn't take standing in the cold anymore so we all went inside to warm up while I was still thinking about it. The place closed at 3pm today and they were there until about 4:45 finishing up the paper work on the purchase.

I am looking forward to putting plenty of miles on this 550 Berg.


thanks,

FirstEliminator said:

Well, I rode the 650 again and rode the 550 today. Twice for both. I felt better on the 650 today then I did yesterday. However, I felt better and more confident on the 550. So, I now have a 2007 FE550e with my name on the title. I think if there is ever a time I regret not getting the 650 it will be somewhere out of my area that I am riding. I guessI can get a 650 later if I feel I ever need it.

Thanks for everyone's input on this choice-----it wasn't and easy choice to make. The sales guy, my girlfriend and another friend were all standing outside in the 35 degree weather while I was looking at both bikes trying to decide for about an hour. They couldn't take standing in the cold anymore so we all went inside to warm up while I was still thinking about it. The place closed at 3pm today and they were there until about 4:45 finishing up the paper work on the purchase.

I am looking forward to putting plenty of miles on this 550 Berg.




thanks,

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Congrats. You already did right by getting a 'Berg, no matter what the displacement. So you can't go wrong there.

As far as the 550, you'll love it. It is a fun ride.

Enjoy!

Good choice! Actually you couldn't have gone wrong. Remember to rejet the carb and drop one or two teeth on the countershaft. After you break it in you will notice a big increase in power right off the bottom end. Have fun!

Rejet the carb right away? Well, the guys at the shop mentioned something about changing jetting. I guess I will see how it runs before altering the mix. I am not sure if I will need to put on a smaller counter sproket---this thing pulls pretty darn good right now.

it is possible that the shop did it already, motoxotica does as a matter of course i think. if they didn't, you need to, they are set up lean for epa reasons, and will run better rejetted. Congratulations!

You think the Husaberg 650cc is a beast? You should try the JBS 750 kit. Hooyah!

http://www.husaberg.org/modules/gallery/JBSracing